RC Helicopters

SkodaMart said:
You don't need satellites with the new Spektrum AR600 / AR610.
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but whats the point in fitting a dedicated receiver when you have a flybarless controller fitted?

I started with the AR7200BX with an extra sat (comes with one built in). When i moved to a VBAR i had 2 sats installed to ensure no signal drop.
 
SkodaMart said:
Here's my view on HobbyKing.

Stay away from the Orange Radio, DSM2 is outdated and there is no warranty support like you get with Spektrum.

The HK 450 GT CCPM 3D Full Alloy is a decent kit.
It costs around £37.

I have fitted the following genuine Align parts to get a helicopter that is as good as an Align Trex 450 GT V2.

  • Main shaft
  • Main gear
  • Tail drive gear
  • Tail pitch slider
  • Canopy

I have also fitted a RJX flybarless head and Tarot ZYX.

It flies flawlessly and looks good too.

The HK 250 isn't great, and I find it hard to recommend, but the HK 250 flybarless head is superb for $20.

You do have to fit genuine Align radius arms and feathering shaft however.

If you are looking for a 450 Pro clone, go for the Tarot one instead, it's almost as good as the genuine Align.
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I still think clones are false economy. I know the kits are cheap, but you've listed that you swap loads of parts with align ones anyway.

If you look second hand you can get 450pro's or later DFC models fully kitted for just over £200. i'd rather do that than replace cheap cheese with align parts later anyway. Just my opinion.

I wouldn't say DSM2 is outdated, its just older technology. I know plenty of people still use them on newer birds. As spektrum still sell DSM2 sats, would there really not be warranty support? :confused:
 
Reality Bites said:
would there really not be warranty support? :confused:
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HobbyKing don't sell any Orange RX products in the UK.
This means sending them back to Hong Kong for repair etc.

The postage would be more than the value of the item.

I have seen many aircraft crash using Orange receivers with Spektrum radios.

(Orange with Orange may be better)

I have an Orange R710 with Orange sat (DSM2) in a glider and that has been OK.

I sold all my ****** Orange R610's
 
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Reality Bites said:
I still think clones are false economy.
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Your probably right.

But It did mean I got a rather nice Align 250 clone for the price of a Blade 130x with a belt drive tail and flybarless head.

And replacement Tarot parts from Miracle Mart cost pennies.

I don't regret any of my clones, but they were hard work to make and you would be much better off starting with a ready made Blade or making a genuine Align kit.
 
SkodaMart said:
HobbyKing don't sell any Orange RX products in the UK.
This means sending them back to Hong Kong for repair etc.

The postage would be more than the value of the item.

I have seen many aircraft crash using Orange receivers with Spektrum radios.

(Orange with Orange may be better)

I have an Orange R710 with Orange sat (DSM2) in a glider and that has been OK.

I sold all my ****** Orange R610's
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my bad, didn't realise you were talking about HK products. I'd rather set my hair on fire and put it out with a hammer than order anything from them again. Get what you pay for......
 
Reality Bites said:
my bad, didn't realise you were talking about HK products. I'd rather set my hair on fire and put it out with a hammer than order anything from them again. Get what you pay for......
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IMO, HobbyKing are still great for a couple of things.

Zippy Compact lipos and servos.

These are especially good:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=29043

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=31880

Also got my eye on the Turnigy Nitro rumble buggy to race my lads Reely Air Attack!

:D
 
Some of their products are good but let down by shockingly bad customer service. For that reason I'd rather pay more for a uk supplier and someone to talk to should you have an issue.
 
Reality Bites said:
people are going real flight instead.
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Any reason why? Is it just a better Sim these days?
Reality Bites said:
Some of their products are good but let down by shockingly bad customer service. For that reason I'd rather pay more for a uk supplier and someone to talk to should you have an issue.
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Where from?
Giant Cod/Shark are rubbish, their stock is absolutely abismal at best. But the stuff that is in stock is despatched quickly.
 
rhysduck said:
Any reason why? Is it just a better Sim these days?
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Looks and sounds more realistic and meant to be a more real replication of control.

My mate bought it before selling up to buy a kit car, I had a quick go and admit it did feel better but much more expensive I believe.

End of the dat, nothing will be closer to real than real. With cp micros where they are, I'd opt for that to trynew moves but that's just me. Some find the sim easy to use.
 
rhysduck said:
Where from?
Giant Cod/Shark are rubbish, their stock is absolutely abismal at best. But the stuff that is in stock is despatched quickly.
Click to expand...

Raj at align-trex.co.uk always gives great service, fast lads are also stupid quick to process an order and have loads in stock.

Depends what you're after.

I bought my warp360 kit from midlands models, the 550 from align, 130x from kings Lynn models.

All without an issue. My two orders with hobby king gave me more stress and grey hair than my boy has in 2 1/2 years he's been here. Lol
 
rhysduck said:
Giant Cod/Shark are rubbish, their stock is absolutely abismal at best. But the stuff that is in stock is despatched quickly.
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Hobbywing ESCs are good from Giant Shark.

Only thing I buy from them.

I'm glad people are moving away from Hobby King and back to UK model shops.
 
Well, had a shooting lesson and decided shooting is the way forward for me now so the heli kit is going.

If anyone is interested in a fully pimped 130x or a dx7s....let me know.
 
Someone at my work is selling a petrol helicopter but not sure how much they want for it.

It's about a metre long and pretty old. Not sure if it works. Any suggestions on price, probably a good ten years old.
 
bloodline76 said:
Someone at my work is selling a petrol helicopter but not sure how much they want for it.

It's about a metre long and pretty old. Not sure if it works. Any suggestions on price, probably a good ten years old.
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No disrespect but considering your description, i fear you should start with a begineer model.
 
I don't think you realise how hard they are to fly and how dangerous they can be if you lose control of it.

If you want to get onto the hobby, start small. My little 130x drew lots of blood when it hit me, let alone a 3ft long model swigging 30odd cm blades.
 
Petrol? Do you maybe been Glow? as in a 2 Stroke. Yes there are Petrol engines in helicopters out there, Vario for one.

You say it is old, but not sure of what it is, lets say it is a shuttle ZTS or Raptor 30. They have long main blades, be it carbon or wood, that spin real fast. You will be surprised just how fast when you start it and move the throttle upwards, Plus that is before you even get to a pitch suitable for the model to actually get of the ground.

Even micro heli's, ie the small blade micro helicopters spin at a high rpm just to generate enough lift to get them airbourne.

Heli's are great fun do not get be wrong. But toys, they are not.

Like "Reality Bites" says: Would be worth while starting smaller to get a idea.
 
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Flying RC helis has never been easier thanks to small, crash resistant lightweight indoor models.
 
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